Chapter 153
1 took a step closer, meeting her gaze with steady assurance. “It’s safe,” I said firmly. “I’ve made all the necessary arrangements. Everything is covered, Raina. You don’t have to worry.”
Her shoulders sagged slightly, a mix of relief and residual tension. “I just” she paused, glancing back at the tickets. “I don’t want to risk anything. especially not with the kids involved. He’s unpredictable,”
“I know,” I said, my tone softening. “But trust me, Raina. I wouldn’t put you or the kids in danger. I’ve thought this through.”
As she nodded slowly, I found myself drifting back to the conversations I’d had while making these arrangements. My mother’s voice echoed in my head, sharp and relentless. The memory of her disbelief when I told her about Eliza’s arrest was still fresh.
“She’s your sister, Alex,” my mother had said, her tone laced with frustration and disbelief. “How could you just cast Vanessa aside like that?”
1 had clenched my jaw, gripping the edge of my desk. “She knew, Mom, Vanessa knew what Eliza did to Liam, and she didn’t stop it. Do you understand
that? She’s not innocent *
“She’s still your sister!” my mother had shot back. “Family doesn’t turn on family.”
I’d slammed my fist down on the desk then, my patience snapping. “It’s because she’s my sister that I didn’t have her arrested too. Don’t push me, Mom.”
The bitterness of that argument lingered in my chest, but I shoved it aside, focusing on the woman in front of me. Baina was studying me, ber expression soft but guarded.
“Thank you, Alex,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “For doing this. For thinking about the kids.”
I smiled, unable to help myself. “You don’t have to thank me,” I said, stopping closer. “It’s the least I can do.”
Before she could protest or overthink it, I leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. It was short–lived but enough to leave her momentarily stunned, her eyes wide as she blinked up at me.
Alex!” she stammered, her tone caught somewhere between surprise and exasperation.
I grinned, pulling back just enough to open the car door for her. “Get in,” I said, motioning toward the seat. “I’m taking you to lunch.”
She hesitated for a moment, clearly caught off guard, but then she slipped into the car without a word. I closed the door behind her, a satisfied smile tugging at my lips as I walked around to the driver’s side
Maybe, just maybe, I was starting to win her over again.
Lunch with Raina felt more than satisfying, like we hadn’t been going to lunch before. A new feeling each time. Her smile lit up her face, even more brighter than I’d seen in weeks, and I found myself smiling back like a fool.
“You’ve been sitting there grinning like a Cheshire cat,” she teased, picking at the salad on her plate. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “It’s just nice to see you laugh. I feel like I don’t get to see that enough.”
Her smile faltered slightly, and for a moment, I thought I’d said the wrong thing. But then she looked down at her plate, her voke soft. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a reason to laugh.”
“You have one now. I said without hesitation, my tone gentle but firm.
She glanced up at me, her eyes searching mine. “What do you mean?”
I hesitated, my hand tightening around the fork. “I mean… being with you like this. Spending time together. It’s been good. For both of us, I think”
‘t reply right away, but the faint blush on her cheeks was enough to give me hope.
She didn’t reply
As she sipped her drink, I let my thoughts wander. Watching her sitting across from me, so effortlessly beautiful, I knew I’d made my decision. I was going to buy a house–not just for her, but for us. A space where she could feel safe, where the kids could run free, where we could start fresh.
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